“We do things that are fun, tongue in cheek,” said Brett Joyce, president of Rogue Ales.

But what’s brewing now is truly cheeky.

Rogue is developing an ale made from wild yeast harvested from the whiskered beard of the its award-winning brewmaster, John Maier. Maier’s beard hasn’t been cut since a six-pack of beer cost less than two dollars.

“Thirty-four years. I never shaved it. 1978. Is that 34 years?” said Maier, as he laughed.

Joyce said they tried to harvest new yeast strains from hops from their hop yard, but nothing developed. As a bit of a joke, they looked to the unusual source.

“Hey, why not look for a different place that might have some magic yeast in it,” Joyce said.